Plate heat exchanger device and a heat exchanger plate

ABSTRACT

The invention refers to a device, including a plate package ( 2 ) of heat exchanger plates ( 1 ) which are provided beside each other to form a plate interspace between adjacent plates, and a heat exchanger plate. The plate interspaces form in an alternating order first passages ( 3 ) for a first medium and second passages ( 4 ) for a second medium for cooling of the first medium. Each heat exchanger plate has at least two portholes forming a first inlet port channel and a first outlet port channel ( 7 ), which extend through the plate package to a first inlet and a first outlet, respectively, for the first medium to and from the first passages ( 3 ). The first outlet forms a gas outlet ( 31 ) for discharge of a gas of the first medium and a liquid outlet ( 32 ) for discharge of liquid of the first medium. The liquid outlet ( 32 ) is separated from the gas outlet ( 31 ) for permitting separate discharge of the liquid and gas.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention refers to a plate heat exchanger device, includinga plate package formed by a number of heat exchanger plates, which arearranged beside each other In such a manner that a plate interspace isformed between adjacent plates, which plate interspaces form firstpassages for a first medium and second passages for a second medium,that is arranged to cool the first medium, wherein the first passagesand the second passages are arranged beside each other in the platepackage in an alternating order, wherein the first passages areseparated from the second passages, and wherein substantially each heatexchanger plate has at least two portholes forming a first inlet portchannel and a second outlet port channel, which extend through the platepackage to a first inlet and a first outlet, respectively, for the firstmedium to and from the first passages.

The invention also refers to a heat exchanger plate for a plate heatexchanger device, which heat exchanger plate includes a main extensionplane, at least a first porthole, which has an opening area and isarranged to form a part of a first inlet port channel in the plate heatexchanger device for a first inlet for a first medium, and a secondporthole, which has an opening area and is arranged to form a part of afirst outlet port channel in the plate heat exchanger device for a firstoutlet for the first medium.

In such a plate heat exchanger device, where the first medium is cooledby the second medium, liquid will condense from the first medium whichthus will include a gaseous phase and a liquid phase. It is known toseparate these phases from each other In a liquid separator providedafter the plate heat exchanger proper. Such devices, including a heatexchanger and a separate liquid separator, may be used in variousapplications, for instance for the dehumidification of pressurised airfrom compressors before the pressurised air is supplied to pneumatictools or machines. Such devices with a separate heat exchanger and aseparate liquid separator have the disadvantage that a significantnumber of components and connecting conduits are required. However, ithas appeared to be difficult to provide one single unit for the heatexchanger part as well as the separation part to reasonable costs due tothe high pressure such a unit has to withstand. In normal cases, theparts should withstand a pressure of 8 bars, but there are alsopneumatic systems operating at 13 bars and even higher pressures.

SE-514 092 discloses a device including a number of parallel plates,which are connected to each other and arranged beside each other in sucha way that they by means of portholes of the plates form a firstpassage, which is arranged to transport a gas, and at least a secondpassage, which is separated from but in heat transferring contact withthe first channel and which is arranged to transport a cooling mediumfor cooling of the gas. A part of the first passage forms a separatingpart for separating liquid from the gas. The separating part is formedby a plurality of plate interspaces between some of said plates arrangedto be passed on both sides by the flowing gaseous medium. In this case,the heat exchanger and the liquid separator are thus built together toone unit, but they still are parts separated from each other in thedevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an efficientseparation of liquid from a substantially gaseous medium and to preventremixing of the liquid with the gaseous medium. In particular, it isaimed at a plate heat exchanger device permitting such a separation Insuch a manner that liquid and gas may be conveyed out of the plate heatexchanger device in two separate outlet flows.

This object is achieved by the plate heat exchanger device initiallydefined, which is characterised in that the first outlet forms a gasoutlet, which is arranged to permit discharge of substantially gas ofthe first medium, and a liquid outlet, which is arranged to permitdischarge of substantially liquid of the first medium, wherein theliquid outlet is separated from the gas outlet for permitting separatedischarge of said liquid and gas.

The inventors have found that In a plate heat exchanger for cooling of asubstantially gaseous medium containing liquid or moisture, aprecipitation of liquid on the heat exchanger plates takes place. Bydesigning the outlet in accordance with the invention, it is possible todischarge the gas and the liquid in two separate media flows. It is thuspossible to obtain such an efficient separation of liquid and gasalready in the plate heat exchanger that the liquid separator used inaccordance to the prior art is not any longer necessary. The combinedcooling and a separating function may thus be obtained by merely oneplate heat exchanger device of the type defined in claim 1 The device-isthus very compact.

The device according to the invention may be used within many differenttechnical fields, for instance for drying pressurised air, withinpetroleum industry for separating heavy hydrocarbons from more highlyvolatile hydrocarbons such as natural gas, in sugar industry etc.

According to an embodiment of the invention, substantially each of thefirst passages includes at least one liquid channel, which extends alonga substantial part of the first passage in a direction towards theliquid outlet, wherein said liquid channel is arranged to convey liquidof the first medium to the liquid outlet. By means of such a liquidchannel, it is thus possible to collect the liquid that precipitates inthe plate interspaces forming the first passages already before thefirst medium reaches the first outlet. The collected liquid may thus viathe liquid channel be conveyed through the first passage without beingin direct contact with the gas of the first medium. In such a way therisk that liquid is remixed with the gas before the liquid is dischargedfrom the plate package is reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, substantially eachheat exchanger plate includes a heat transfer area with a corrugationincluding ridges and valleys, wherein the corrugation will catch liquidfrom the second medium. By these ridges and valleys, a plurality ofredirections of the first medium are thus achieved when it istransported from the first inlet to the first outlet, and at the sametime cooled by said heat transfer area. These redirections of the flowcontribute to the precipitation of liquid on the ridges and valleys.Advantageously, the corrugation of said ridges and valleys of one of thetwo heat exchanger plates limiting every first passage may extend in adirection towards said liquid channel and thus convey the caught liquidto the liquid channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the corrugation ofat least one of the two heat exchanger plates limiting every firstpassage includes a transversal ridge projecting into the first passagein the proximity of the first outlet in such a way that liquid of thefirst medium is prevented from reaching the gas outlet. Liquid ormoisture in the first medium will precipitate on this transversal ridgesince the first medium is redirected when it passes the ridge.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, said liquid channelis formed by a shaping of at least one of the two heat exchanger platesthat delimits each first passage. Such a shaping may in an easy mannerbe obtained when the heat exchanger plate is pressed. The liquid channelmay extend through or beside said corrugation as a longitudinaldepression seen from the plate interspace in question. Advantageously,said liquid channel may extend immediately inside at least an outer edgeof the first passage.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device isarranged to permit gas of the first medium to flow in a main first flowdirection from the first inlet port channel to the first outlet portchannel. Advantageously, said transversal ridge may extend transversallyto the first flow direction.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid outlet Isconnectable to a liquid discharge conduit, which extends from the platepackage. Moreover, the gas outlet may be connectable to a gas dischargeconduit, which extends from the plat package.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the plate packagehas during normal use an upper end and a lower end, which is locatedbeneath the upper end with regard to the direction of gravity, whereinthe first inlet port channel is located in the proximity of the upperend and the first outlet port channel is located in the proximity of thelower end. Liquid which precipitates from the first medium in the firstpassages will thus be transported by means of the gravity to the liquiddischarge member via the liquid channel. The gas outlet may have anoutlet opening with a centre point which during normal use Is located ata higher level than a centre point of an outlet opening of the liquidoutlet with regard to the direction of gravity. The outlet opening ofthe gas outlet is advantageously larger than the outlet opening of theliquid outlet.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of thetwo heat exchanger plates, which delimits each first passage, is formedin such a way that the transition between the first passage and thefirst outlet port channel forms a throttling for the first mediumflowing out into the port channel. In such a way a velocity increase isachieved in the transition between the first passage and the portchannel. Possibly remaining liquid droplets will thus be accelerated andless inclined to change direction, i.e. to be conveyed out together withthe gas through the gas outlet. Furthermore, such a throttling creates arecirculation zone in the proximity of the throttling within the portchannel proper. In such a recirculation zone there is a relativelystillstanding gas, which attracts liquid droplets that may fall downtowards the liquid outlet. Said throttling may for instance be formed byan edge area extending around at least the gas outlet and inwardlytowards a centre plane of the plate interspace. Such an edge area mayalso in an easy manner be obtained when the heat exchanger plate ispressed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, each heat exchangerplate has two further portholes forming a second inlet port channel anda second outlet port channel, which extend through the plate package andwhich form a second inlet and a second outlet, respectively, for thesecond medium to and from the second passages.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid outlet ispositioned in the proximity of the gas outlet. The liquid outlet maythus be provided in a part of the first outlet whereas the gas outlet isprovided in another part of the first outlet. The first outlet may formor constitute a prolongation of a porthole or an opening insubstantially each heat exchanger plate, wherein this opening is dividedinto an upper part for the discharge of gas and a lower part for thedischarge of liquid. The liquid outlet may include or be connected to aliquid conduit extending from the lower part, and the gas outlet mayinclude or be connected to a gas conduit extending from the upper part.It is to be noted that the gas and the liquid may be stratified in theport channel for the first outlet, which means that the invention may berealised without any physical dividing member between the liquid outletand the gas outlet. It is sufficient that the gas stream and the liquidstream, when they have left the device proper are caught by separatemembers such as a separate gas conduit and a separate liquid conduit,respectively. The first outlet may also include or be formed by twoseparate portholes or openings through substantially each heat exchangerplate, wherein such an opening forms the liquid outlet, which includesor is connected to a liquid conduit, and the second opening forms thegas outlet, which includes or is connected to a gas conduit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first outletincludes at least a further heat exchanger plate, which is provided atthe plate package for forming a further plate interspace arranged toconvey said gas from the first outlet port channel to the gas outlet. Bysuch an additional plate, said gas may in an easy manner be conveyedaway from the liquid outlet, and the separation of liquid and gas may befurther improved. Advantageously, the said further heat exchanger plateis provided at the plate package in such a way that it forms a part ofthe plate package.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first outletincludes a plurality of further heat exchanger plates, which areprovided beside each other and at the plate package for forming furtherplate interspaces, wherein at least every second one of said furtherplate interspaces are arranged to convey said gas from the first outletport channel to the gas outlet. In such a way the separation may befurther improved. Advantageously, said further heat exchanger plates areprovided at the plate package in such a way that they form a part of theplate package. Furthermore, every second one of said further plateinterspaces may be arranged form a part of the first inlet and to conveythe first medium to the first inlet port channel in heat exchangingcontact with said gas.

The object is also achieved by the heat exchanger plate initiallydefined, which Is characterised in that the opening area of the secondporthole is substantially larger than the opening area of the firstporthole, and that the second porthole is arranged to permit dischargeof the first medium to a gas outlet, which is arranged to permitdischarge of substantially gas of the first medium, and to a liquidoutlet which is arranged to permit discharge of substantially liquid ofthe first medium, wherein the liquid outlet is separated from the gasoutlet for permitting separate discharge of said liquid and gas. In sucha way a separation of a gas flow and a liquid flow from a heat exchangerdevice formed by such plates is made possible.

Advantageous embodiments of the heat exchanger plate are defined in thedependent claims 25 to 30.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means of adescription of various embodiments disclosed by way of example and withreference to the drawings attached hereto.

FIG. 1 discloses schematically a sideview of a plate heat exchangerdevice according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 discloses schematically another sideview of the plate heatexchanger in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 discloses a sectional view along the line III-lII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 discloses a sectional view similar to the one in FIG. 3 of aplate heat exchanger device according to a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 discloses schematically a first heat exchanger plate of the plateheat exchanger device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 discloses schematically a second heat exchanger plate of theplate heat exchanger device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 discloses schematically a first heat exchanger plate of a plateheat exchanger device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 discloses schematically a second heat exchanger plate of theplate heat exchanger device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 discloses schematically a first sectional view through a plateheat exchanger device according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 discloses schematically a second sectional view through theplate heat exchanger device in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 discloses schematically a first sectional view through a plateheat exchanger device according to the fifth embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 12. discloses schematically a second sectional view through theplate heat exchanger device in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 discloses a plate heat exchanger according to the firstembodiment of the invention. The plate heat exchanger Includes a numberof heat exchanger plates 1, which form a plate package 2 and which eachIncludes a main extension plane p, see FIG. 3. The heat exchanger plates1 are pressed to such a shape that when they are provided beside eachother to said plate package 2, a plate interspace is formed between eachpair of plates 1. The plate interspaces, which completely or partly alsomay be formed by distance members, for instance gaskets, providedbetween the plates, are arranged to form first passages 3 for a firstmedium and second passages 4 for a second medium. The first passages 3are separated from the second passages 4. Furthermore, the firstpassages 3 and the second passages 4 are arranged beside each other inan alternating order, i.e. substantially each first passage 3 issurrounded by two second passages 4.

The plate package 2 includes in the embodiment disclosed heat exchangerplates 1, which are permanently connected to each other by means ofbrazing or any similar method, wherein all heat exchanger plates 1 aresubstantially identical except for one of the end plates, which in theembodiment disclosed lacks portholes. It is to be noted, however, thatthe Invention is not limited to brazed or in any other way permanentlymounted plate packages 2, but is also applicable to plate packages kepttogether by means of two end plates and tension bolts extending throughthe end plates.

Furthermore, the plate package 2 includes four port channels 6, 7, 8 and9. Each port channel 6-9 extends through all plates 1 except for saidone end plate. Two of the port channels 6 and 7 communicate with thefirst passages 3, see FIG. 3. wherein the port channel 6 forms a firstinlet port channel 6 and extends to a first inlet 11 for the firstmedium, and the port channel 7 forms a first outlet port channel 7 andextends to a first outlet 12 for the first medium. The two other portchannels 8 and 9 communicate with the second passages 4, wherein theport channel 8 forms a second inlet port channel 8 and extends to asecond inlet 13 for the second medium, and the port channel 9 formssecond inlet port channel 9 and extends to a second outlet 14 for thesecond medium. It is to be noted that the plate heat exchanger deviceaccording to the invention also may be of a type that has another numberof port channels, for instance two or six port channels and/or anothernumber of passages for various media.

Each port channel 6-9 is formed by an opening or a porthole 16-19 ineach heat exchanger plate 1 in the plate package 2 except for said oneend plate, see FIG. 5 and 6. The portholes 16, 18 and 19, which form theport channels 6, 8 and 9, are in the first embodiment circular seen inthe direction of the port channels 6, 8, 9. Each port channel 6, 8, 9 isconnected to a respective conduit pipe 21, 22, 23 extending from theplate package 2 for the supply and removal, respectively, of medium. Inparticular, the pipe 21 and the port channel 6 permit feeding andtransport of the first medium to the first passages 3. The pipe 22 andthe port channel 8 permit feeding and transport of the second medium tothe second passages 4, and the pipe 23 and the port channel 9 permitdischarge and transport of the second medium from the second passages 4.

The plate package 2 has during normal use an upper end and a lower endlocated below the upper end with regard to the direction of gravity,wherein the first inlet 11 is located in the proximity of the upper endand the first outlet 12 is located in the proximity of the lower end.The second inlet 13 is in the disclosed embodiments, operating accordingto the counterflow principle, located at the lower end whereas thesecond outlet 14 is located at the upper end. It is to be noted that theplate heat exchanger device also may be designed to operate according tothe parallel flow principle.

In the embodiments disclosed, the plate heat exchanger device isarranged to enable cooling of the first medium in the first passages 3by means of the second medium in the second passages 4. The first mediummay, as mentioned initially, for instance be pressurised air to becooled and dried before it is supplied to the equipment where it is tobe used. The first medium thus includes a gaseous medium or a gas, and aliquid medium or a liquid or moisture. Due to the cooling of the firstmedium, liquid or moisture will precipitate or condense in the firstmedium due to known physical principles. Substantially each heatexchanger plate 1, 1′, 1″, see FIGS. 5 and 6, includes a heat transferarea with a corrugation including ridges and valleys.

In the embodiments disclosed, two different heat exchanger plates 1 areused in the plate package 2. FIG. 5 discloses a first heat exchangerplate 1′, on which the corrugation 26 of ridges and valleys is inclinedand extends obliquely upwardly in a first direction a. FIG. 6 disclosesa second heat exchanger plate 1″, on which the corrugation of ridges andvalleys is inclined and extends obliquely upwardly in a second directionb. The flow of the first medium flows in a main flow direction cobliquely downwardly from the first inlet 11 to the first outlet 12. Acorrugation 26 of ridges and valleys contributes to redirect the flow ofthe first medium a large number of times when it flows from the firstinlet 11 to the first outlet 12, and in such a way, the corrugation 26will catch liquid from the first medium.

The port channel 7, forming the first outlet 12 for the first mediumincludes or forms a gas outlet 31, which is arranged to permit dischargeof substantially gas of the first medium, and a liquid outlet 32, whichis arranged to permit discharge of substantially liquid of the firstmedium. The liquid outlet 32 is provided in or in the proximity of thegas outlet 31. In the first embodiment, the first outlet 12 is formed byone single porthole 17 In each heat exchanger plate 1 except for saidone end plate, wherein this porthole 17 has a larger opening area thanthe porthole 16, 17, 18, 19, which form the other port channels 6. 8, 9.Furthermore, the porthole 17 has a total height which is substantiallylonger than its total width, which appears from FIGS. 5, 6 and FIGS. 7,8. The port channel 7 is however divided by means of a dividing piece33, which extends in the port channel 7 from said one end plate in sucha way that the upper gas outlet 31 and the lower gas outlet 32 areformed. The gas outlet 31 will thus be separated from the liquid outlet32.

As appears from FIG. 5, the gas outlet 31 has an outlet opening which islarger than the outlet opening of the liquid outlet 32. Furthermore, theoutlet opening of the gas outlet 31 has a centre point which duringnormal use is located at a higher level than a centre point of theoutlet opening of the liquid outlet 32 with regard to the gravity. FIG.3 discloses with continuous lines a dividing piece 33 extending a shortdistance into the port channel 7. However, with dashed lines it is shownthat the dividing, piece may extend through substantially the wholelength of the port channel 7. The dividing piece 33 may include or beformed by a simple sheet which may have a somewhat curved shape beingconvex seen from the gas outlet 31, see FIG. 5, wherein possible liquidprecipitating on the dividing piece 33 may flow outwardly and downwardlyfrom the gas outlet 31.

The gas outlet 31 includes or is connectable to a gas discharge conduit35 extending from the plate package 2 for discharge and transport ofsubstantially gas of the first medium. The liquid outlet 32 includes oris connectable to a separate liquid discharge conduit 36, which alsoextends from the plate package 2 and is separated from the gas dischargeconduit for separate discharge and transport of substantially liquid ofthe first medium. The collected liquid may thus in a convenient mannerbe conveyed to for instance a separate collecting tank or effluentoutlet. The gas from the gas discharge conduit 25 may be so dry that nofurther liquid separator is necessary.

FIG. 4 discloses a plate heat exchanger device according to a secondembodiment, which differs from the first embodiment in that the portchannel 7 merely has a larger opening area and a longer height/widthrelation than the rest of the port channels, in particular than the portchannel 6 but also than the port channels 8 and 8. Moreover, in thesecond embodiment any dividing of the port channel 7 is missing, butthis embodiment is built on the principal that the first medium will bestratified in the port channel 7 so that a separate upper gas flow and aseparate liquid flow in the lower part of the port channel are formed.The two separate flows are conveyed to a gas outlet 31 with a connectinggas discharge conduit 35 and to a liquid outlet with a connecting liquiddischarge conduit 36, respectively. It is to be noted that the gasoutlet 31 and the liquid outlet 32 with the connecting conduits 35 and36 in the disclosed second embodiment are located completely outside theplate package 2 proper.

As is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, each first passage 3 includes in theembodiments disclosed two liquid channels 41, 42 extending along asubstantial part of the first passage 3 in a direction towards the firstoutlet 12 and more precisely towards the liquid outlet 32. The liquidchannels 41, 42 are thus arranged to convey the liquid of the firstmedium to the liquid outlet 32. The liquid channels 41, 42 mayadvantageously be formed by a shaping of at least one of the two heatexchanger plates 1′ and 1″ which delimits each first passage 3. In theembodiments disclosed the corrugation 26 of ridges and valleys of theheat exchanger plate 1′ extends in the direction a towards the liquidchannel 42 formed on the heat exchanger plate 1″, whereas thecorrugation 26 of ridges of valleys of the heat exchanger plate 1″extends in the direction b towards the liquid channel 41 formed on theheat exchanger plate 1′. The corrugation 26 on each of the plates 1′ and1″ thus conveys the caught liquid to a liquid channel 42 and 41,respectively. It is to be noted however, that the corrugation 26 ofridges and valleys of the heat exchanger plate 1′ also may extendtowards the liquid channel 41 on this plate 1′, and that the corrugation26 of ridges and valleys of the heat exchanger plate 1″ may extend inthe direction b towards the liquid channel 42 on this plate 1″.

In the embodiments disclosed, the liquid channels 41, 42 extendimmediately inside the outer side edge of the first passage 3. Theliquid channels 41, 42 or one liquid channel 41, 42 may however haveanother position on the heat exchanger plate 1′, 1″, for instance alonga substantially vertical centre line, wherein the ridges and valleys ofthe corrugation 26 may form an arrow pattern in a manner known per se.

Furthermore, each heat exchanger plate 1′ and 1″, limiting every firstpassage 3, includes a transversal ridge 44 which projects into the firstpassage 3 in the proximity of the first outlet 12 and more preciselyjust above the gas outlet 31. Such a ridge 44 will redirect the flow ofthe first medium before it reaches the first outlet 12, wherein liquidof the first medium is prevented from reaching the gas outlet 31. Thetransversal ridge 44 extends substantially transversally to the firstflow direction c.

Furthermore, in the embodiments disclosed the heat exchanger plates 1′and 1″. delimiting substantially each passage 3, is formed in such a waythat the transition between the first passage 3 and the port channel 7of the first outlet 12 forms a throttling for the first medium flowingout into the port channel 7. The throttling is formed by an edge area46, which extends around at least the first outlet 12 or more preciselyaround each porthole 17, and inwardly towards a centre plane of theplate interspace forming the first passage 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose two heat exchanger plates 1′, 1″ according to athird embodiment. According to this embodiment, one of the portholes isdivided into two separate portholes 51, 52. These two portholes 51, 52,are included by or correspond to the porthole 17 in the firstembodiment. In the second embodiment, the portholes 51 of substantiallyall heat exchanger plates 1′, 1″ form the gas outlet 31, and theportholes 52 of substantially all heat exchanger plates 1′, 1″ form theliquid outlet 32. As appears from FIGS. 7 and 8, the edge area 42forming the throttling mentioned above is merely provided around theportholes 51 forming the gas outlet 31.

FIGS. 9 and 10 disclose a fourth embodiment of the plate heat exchangerdevice. It is here to be noted that elements having substantially thesame function have been given the same name and been provided with thesame reference signs in all the embodiments disclosed. This fourthembodiment differs from the first embodiments in that further heatexchanger plates 1 a are provided beside each other and form a furtherplate package 2 a. This further plate package 2 a is provided beside theplate package 2 as this is disclosed in the first embodiments. Thefurther heat exchanger plates 1 a have substantially the same dimensionsas the heat exchanger plates 1 in such a way that the two plate packages2 and 2 a together may form one single common plate package 2, 2 a. Thefurther heat exchanger plates la are provided in such a way that furtherplate interspaces 3 a, 3 b are formed between the plates 1 a. The twoplate packages 2, 2 a are separated from each other by a separatingplate 1 b, which has merely two portholes instead of four portholes ofsubstantially all plates 1, 1 a.

The further plate interspaces 3 a, 3 b, disclosed in the fourthembodiment, are intended to convey the first medium. The plateinterspaces 3 a, which substantially consists of every second one of thefurther plate interspaces 3 a, 3 b, form a part of the first inlet 11.The first medium is thus conveyed via the conduit pipe 21 through theplate interspaces 3 a to the first inlet port channel 6. The plateinterspaces 3 b, which substantially consist of every second one of thefurther plate interspaces 3 a, 3 b, form a part of the first outlet 12.The gaseous part of the first medium is thus conveyed from the firstoutlet port channel 7, via a corresponding port channel 7 a of the platepackage 2 a through the plate interspaces 3 b to the gas outlet 31 andthe gas discharge conduit 35. The corresponding port channel 7 a havethe same size and the same shape as the first outlet port channel 7.Furthermore, the corresponding port channel 7 a has the same position asthe first outlet port channel 7 with regard to the extension plane p.The liquid part of the first medium is conveyed from the first outletport channel 7 substantially straight through the corresponding portchannel 7 a to the liquid outlet 32 and the liquid discharge conduit 36.In such a way, the first medium will be conveyed in the plateinterspaces 3 a in heat exchanging contact with the first medium in theplate interspaces 3 b. This means that the first medium, which isconveyed into the plate heat exchanger device may be precooled at thesame time as the gaseous part of the first medium may be heated beforethe gas leaves the plate heat exchanger device. As appears from FIG. 10,the incoming first medium is conveyed substantially in parallel flowwith the outgoing gaseous first medium in the plate package 2 a.

FIGS. 11 and 12 disclose a fifth embodiment, which in a functionalregard differs from the fourth embodiment in that the incoming firstmedium is conveyed in substantially counter flow to the outgoing gaseousfirst medium in the plate package 2 a. In order to obtain such acounterflow function, the incoming and precooled first medium isconveyed from the plate packaged 2 a via a bypass channel 61 to theplate package 2 for cooling by means of the second medium.

The first medium is thus conveyed via the conduit pipe 21 into the platepackage 2 a and through the plate interspaces 3 a to the bypass channel61. From the bypass channel 61, the first precooled medium is conveyedinto the first inlet port channel 6 through the first passages 3 to thefirst outlet port channel 7. From the first outlet port channel 7, thegaseous part of the first medium is in the same way as in the fourthembodiment conveyed via a corresponding port channel 7 a of the platepackage 2 a through the plate interspaces 3 b to the gas outlet 31 andthe gas discharge conduit 35. The liquid part of the first medium isconveyed from the first outlet port channel 7 substantially straightthrough the corresponding port channel 7 a to the liquid outlet 32 andthe liquid discharge conduit 36.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may bevaried and modified within the scope of the following claims.

1-30. (canceled)
 31. A plate heat exchanger device comprising a platepackage (2) formed by a number of heat exchanger plates (1, 1′, 1″),which are beside each other so that a plate interspace (3,4) is formedbetween adjacent plates, which plate interspaces form first passages (3)for a first medium and second passages (4) for a second medium that isarranged to cool the first medium, wherein the first passages (3) andthe second passages (4) are arranged beside each other in the platepackage (2) in an alternating order, wherein the first passages (3) areseparated from the second passages (4), and wherein substantially eachheat exchanger plate (1, 1′, 1″) has at least two portholes (16-19)forming a first inlet port channel (6) and a first outlet port channel(9), which extend through the plate package (2) to a first inlet (11)and a first outlet (12), respectively, for the first medium to and fromthe first passages (3), and wherein the first outlet (12) forms a gasoutlet (31), which is arranged to permit discharge of substantially gasof the first medium, and a liquid outlet (32), which is arranged topermit discharge of substantially liquid of the first medium, whereinthe liquid outlet (32) is separated from the gas outlet (31) forpermitting separate discharge of said liquid and gas.
 32. A deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein substantially each of the first passages(3) includes at least one liquid channel (41, 42), which extends along asubstantial part of the first passage (3) in a direction towards theliquid outlet (32), and wherein said liquid channel (41, 42) is arrangedto convey liquid of the first medium to the liquid outlet (32).
 33. Adevice according to claim 32, wherein substantially each heat exchangerplate (1, 1′, 1″) includes a heat transfer area with a corrugation (26)including ridges and valleys, and wherein the corrugation (26) willcatch liquid from the first medium.
 34. A device according to claim 33,wherein the corrugation (26) of said ridges and valleys of one of thetwo heat exchanger plates (1, 1′, 1″) limiting each first passage (3)extends in a direction (a, b) towards said liquid channel (41, 42) andthus conveys the caught liquid to the liquid channel (41, 42).
 35. Adevice according to claim 33, wherein the corrugation (26) of at leastone of the two heat exchanger plates (1, 1′, 1″) limiting each firstpassage (3) includes a transversal ridge (44) projecting into the firstpassage (3) in the proximity of the first outlet (12) in such a way thatliquid of the first medium is prevented from reaching the gas outlet(31).
 36. A device according to claim 32, wherein said liquid channel(41, 42) is formed by a shaping of at least one of the two heatexchanger plates (1, 1′, 1″) that delimits each first passage (3).
 37. Adevice according to claim 32, wherein said liquid channel (41, 42)extends immediately inside an outer edge of the first passage (3).
 38. Adevice according to claim 31, wherein the device is arranged to permitgas of the first medium to flow in a main first flow direction (c) fromthe first inlet port channel (6) to the first outlet port channel (7).39. A device according to claim 38, wherein a transversal ridge (44)extends substantially transversally to the first flow direction (c). 40.A device according to claim 31, wherein the liquid outlet (32) isconnectable to a liquid discharge conduit (36) which extends from theplate package (2).
 41. A device according to claim 31, wherein the gasoutlet (31) is connectable to a gas discharge conduit (35) which extendsfrom the plate package (2).
 42. A device according to claim 31, whereinthe plate package (2) during normal use has an upper end and a lower endwhich is located beneath the upper end with regard to the direction ofgravity, wherein the first inlet port channel (6) is located in theproximity of the upper end and the first outlet port channel (7) islocated in the proximity of the lower end.
 43. A device according toclaim 42, wherein the gas outlet (31) has an outlet opening with acenter point which during the normal use is located at a higher levelthan a center point of an outlet opening of the liquid outlet (32) withregard to the direction of gravity.
 44. A device according to claim 31,wherein the gas outlet (31) has an outlet opening which has a largerflow area than an outlet opening of the liquid outlet (32).
 45. A deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein at least one of the two heat exchangerplates, which delimits each first passage (1, 1′, 1″), is formed in sucha way that the transition between the first passage (3) and the portchannel (7), forming the first outlet port channel (7), forms athrottling for the first medium flowing out into the port channel (7).46. A device according to claim 45, wherein said throttling is formed byan edge area (46) which extends around at least the gas outlet (31) andinwardly towards a center plane of the plate interspace.
 47. A deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein each heat exchanger plate (1, 1′, 1″) hastwo further portholes (18, 19) forming a second inlet port channel (8)and a second outlet port channel (9), which extend through the platepackage (2) and which form a second inlet (13) and a second outlet (14),respectively, for the second medium to and from the second passages (4).48. A device according to claim 31, wherein the liquid outlet (32) isprovided in or in the proximity of the gas outlet (31).
 49. A deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein the first outlet (12) includes at least afurther heat exchanger plate (la), which is provided at the platepackage for forming a further plate interspace to convey said gas fromthe first outlet port channel (7) to the gas outlet (31).
 50. A deviceaccording to claim 49, wherein the further heat exchanger plate isprovided at the plate package in such a way that it forms a part of theplate package.
 51. A device according to claim 31, wherein the firstoutlet (12) includes a plurality of further heat exchanger plates, whichare provided beside each other and at the plate package for formingfurther plate interspaces (3 a, 3 b), and wherein at least every secondone (3 b) of said further plate interspaces are arranged to convey saidgas from the first outlet port channel (7) to the gas outlet (31).
 52. Adevice according to claim 51, wherein said further heat exchanger platesare provided at the plate package in such a way that they form a part ofthe plate package.
 53. A device according to claim 52, wherein everysecond (3 a) of said further plate interspaces are arranged to form apart of the first inlet (11) and to convey the first medium to the firstinlet port channel (6) in heat exchanging contact with said gas.
 54. Aheat exchanger plate for a plate heat exchanger device, which heatexchanger plate (1, 1′, 1″) comprises a main extension plane (p), atleast a first porthole (16), which has an opening area and forms a partof a first inlet port channel (6) in the plate heat exchanger device fora first inlet (11) for a first medium, and a second porthole (17), whichhas an opening area and forms a part of a first outlet port channel (7)in the plate heat exchanger device for a first outlet (12) for the firstmedium, wherein the opening area of the second porthole (17) issubstantially larger than the opening area of the first porthole (16),and the second porthole (17) is arranged to permit discharge of thefirst medium to a gas outlet (31), which is arranged to permit dischargeof substantially gas of the first medium, and to a liquid outlet (32),which is arranged to permit discharge of substantially liquid of thefirst medium, wherein the liquid outlet (32) is separated from the gasoutlet (31) for permitting separate discharge of said liquid and gas.55. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 54, wherein the secondporthole (17) has a total height and a total width, with the heightbeing longer than the width.
 56. A heat exchanger plate according toclaim 54, wherein the second porthole (17) is limited by an edge area(46) which extends around at least the second porthole and is inclinedin relation to the main extension plane (p).
 57. A heat exchanger plateaccording to claim 54, wherein the second porthole (17) is divided intotwo separate holes (33; 51, 52) for permitting said separate discharge.58. A heat exchanger plate according to claim 54, wherein the heatexchanger plate (1, 1′, 1″) includes a heat transfer area with acorrugation (26) of ridges and valleys, wherein the corrugation (26) isarranged to catch liquid from the first medium and includes atransversal ridge (44) which extends transversally to the heat exchangerplate in the proximity of the second porthole (17).
 59. A heat exchangerplate according to claim 54, wherein the heat exchanger plate (1, 1′,1″) during normal use has an upper end and a lower end located beneaththe upper end with regard to the direction of gravity, wherein the firstporthole (16) is located in the proximity of the upper end and thesecond porthole (17) is located in the proximity of the lower end.
 60. Aheat exchanger plate according to claim 54, wherein the heat exchangerplate (1, 1′, 1″) has a third porthole (18), which has an opening areaand is arranged to form a part of a third port channel (8) in the plateheat exchanger device for a second inlet (13) for a second medium, and afourth porthole (19), which has an opening area and is arranged to forma part of a fourth port channel (9) in the plate heat exchanger devicefor a second outlet (14) for the second medium.